Help fund Latra and Aviance’s Teacher Training

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Aviance Battles and Latra Wilson are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Jane Gotch.

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Support Latra Wilson and Aviance Battles as they travel both to Kansas City and DC to bravely begin their journey to obtain their Gyrotonic Teacher Training Certification, a program where students learn the necessary skills and techniques used to teach exercise classes specific to the Gyrotonic Method. We are seeking support for royalty payment, travel expenses and loss of income due to missing work. Your donations can help two women become trainers that would allow them to help and empower others!
Please continue reading below to learn their story!

Even during a pandemic and civil unrest, there is still beauty in this world.
In showing a commitment to Black Lives and to increase diversity in an often one-tone world, Justine Bernard, Master Gyrotonic Instructor and founder of Elements Fitness and Wellness Center in Washington, DC, is offering a FREE Gyrotonic Foundation Teacher Training for Black women only.
This foundational training isn't only essential to understanding the Gyrotonic level 1 curriculum, but this course is also 1 out of the 4 major course requirements to complete in order to become a Certified Gyrotonic Trainer. Though the journey to procuring a certification is long and extensive (and very expensive), the Elements Center's initiative is allowing Black women like Aviance and Latra to have a voice in a world where they are often under-represented.

Meet Aviance Battles and Latra A. Wilson, the women who this fundraiser is in support of!
Aviance
Originally from Kansas City, KS, Aviance was always pushed by her parents to be active and move her body. Since elementary school her extracurricular activities included dance and cheer, which both creatively and physically allowed her to express herself. This love for physical expression carried her throughout middle school, high school, and the end of her university career where she earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. It has recently led her to becoming a full-time dance teacher and company member of the Regina Klenjoski Dance Company.
It wasn’t until college that Aviance was introduced to the Gyrotonic Method, but only by theory for lessons were always out of her budget, so the offer for a free Gyrotonic Certification seemed like a godsent blessing. She will not only be learning new ways of physically moving her body, but will also learn and be able to utilize the techniques of the Gyrotonic Method to spread the love of physical expression to others, and ultimately back to her community.

Latra
A Texas native, Latra A. Wilson, began her journey as a creative artist with her BFA from University of Missouri of Kansas City. Since then as a performing artist Ms. Wilson has had pleasure to work with many companies from NY to KC and everything in between. Due to covid Ms. Wilson had to push the pause button on her life in NYC and relocate to KCMO where it all began. Ms. Wilson currently is a teaching artist with Alvin Ailey Arts in Education (NY), KCFAA and Kansas City Ballet School. Ms. Wilson along with her husband is an associate artistic director for TheDynamitExperience a dance company that creates visceral experiences through contemporary choreography and community engagement.
With all that Ms. Wilson has always been an advocate and a fan of healthy/holistic movement and is honored to be starting a new journey with Elements Center.

What is the Gyrotonic Method?
The Gyrotonic Method is an exercise system that focuses on the natural circular rotation of the body's joints, without any jarring or compression with the use of specialized equipment often designed with rotational discs and weighted pulleys. The exercises used improves and supports joint mobility, balance, muscle efficiency, strength and flexibility.
The Gyrotonic Method is for everyone. Athletes, senior citizens, and especially for those recovering from an injury and those dealing with disabilities.

(If you would like more information about the gyrotonics teacher training program, please use the link following: https://www.gyrotonic.com/teacher-training/gyrotonic-level-1/)

In addition to the amazing opportunity that Justine Bernard is offering, the impressive Master Gyrokinesis instructor and Gyrotonic pre-trainer, Jane Gotch, has graciously offered to sponsor/scholarship Latra and Aviance $1,000 each to help make their journey possible by allowing them to take the Gyrotonic pre-training in Kansas City. This training is a required prerequisite course to the Foundation Course.
Please use the Vimeo video link below to hear Jane Gotch speak about why she feels this initiative and scholarship program is not only important, but needed.

https://vimeo.com/512046255

The cost of becoming a Gyrotonics Level 1 instructor can total up to $4,000. This is where you come in.

We are raising funds to help cover the cost of:
-- Royalties that both Jane Gotch and Justine Bernard pay to Gyrotonic Headquarters for Aviance and Latra's training.
--Aviance and Latra's travel expenses. This includes flights to and from Washington, DC, hotel/air bnb stay, and Uber fare to travel from their place of stay to the location of their trainings.
--Aviance and Latra's loss of work. Both women are taking an entire month off of work in order to attend and complete their trainings.

Any and all donations are deeply appreciated! No matter how small. Even if it's just a quick share to your social media!